Labor Law
Ongoing coverage on Labor Law.
Latest coverage
RPG studio Obsidian faces class action lawsuit alleging violations of state wage laws
Obsidian Entertainment is facing a class action lawsuit alleging systematic violations of California state wage and hour laws. The suit claims the company failed to pay minimum wages, overtime, and timely wages, as well as provide proper meal and rest breaks and reimburse business costs. Obsidian denies all allegations.
The Outer Worlds 2 studio Obsidian accused of "violating state wage and hour laws" for profit in California lawsuit
Obsidian Entertainment, the developer of The Outer Worlds 2 and Avowed, is facing a lawsuit in California for alleged violations of state wage and hour laws. Plaintiff Victoria Turner accuses the company of failing to pay minimum and overtime wages, provide breaks, and reimburse business expenses. Obsidian Entertainment has denied all allegations and is seeking to have the case dismissed.
Evening Legal Briefs
A UK tribunal has allowed former Rockstar Games employees to proceed with their union busting allegations in court. This ruling represents a legal setback for the company regarding its labor practices.
Rockstar Games Accused of Stonewalling Legal Proceedings by Scottish Members of Parliament
Scottish Labour Members of Parliament are accusing Grand Theft Auto 6 developer Rockstar Games of obstructing legal proceedings related to alleged union-busting activities. MPs have called for greater transparency and cooperation from the company regarding employee firings and engagement with staff representatives and trade unions. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain has stated that affected employees have faced six months of legal stonewalling and that Rockstar has shown disregard for UK trade union law.
Kylie Jenner Digugat Eks PRT dengan Dugaan Bullying dan Diskriminasi
Kylie Jenner is being sued by a former housekeeper, Angelica Vasquez, who alleges bullying and discrimination by other household staff. Vasquez is seeking damages for unpaid wages, emotional distress, and punitive damages, claiming she was ostracized, given difficult tasks, and humiliated based on her race, national origin, and religion. While Jenner is not directly accused of the alleged mistreatment, she is named as a defendant for failing to address Vasquez's complaints.
MindsEye studio Build a Rocket Boy sued by unionised staff, who accuse management of breaking the law with "invasive" surveillance software
Unionized staff at MindsEye developers Build a Rocket Boy are suing the studio, alleging that the installation of surveillance software violated data protection laws and their basic dignity. The IWGB Game Workers Union claims the software, Teramind, recorded keystrokes, screen activity, and microphone audio without employee consent or transparency about data collection. The lawsuit is separate from previous claims regarding mishandled redundancies.
MindsEye Developer Sued by Employees Alleging Unauthorized Surveillance
Build a Rocket Boy (BARB), the studio behind MindsEye, is facing a lawsuit from unionized employees alleging the unauthorized installation of surveillance software. The IWGB Game Workers Union is representing the employees, claiming BARB violated data protection laws and employee dignity by using Teramind software without consent. This lawsuit adds to a series of setbacks for BARB, including the troubled launch of MindsEye and subsequent layoffs.
MindsEye Studio’s Employees File Lawsuit Alleging Privacy Violations With Monitoring Software
Employees of Build A Rocket Boy, represented by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain, have filed a lawsuit alleging privacy violations due to the studio's installation of surveillance software called Teramind. The union claims the software, which tracked keystrokes, screen activity, and microphone audio without consent, violates data protection laws and employee dignity. Studio leaders Mark Gerhard and Leslie Benzies confirmed the software's installation without employee knowledge, which has since been removed following a collective grievance.
GTA 6 dev Rockstar Games hit with government fine for not paying minimum wage
Rockstar Games has been ordered by the UK government to refund over £1,300 to five employees for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage. The developer was fined as part of a government crackdown on employers who underpay their staff. This news comes as anticipation builds for the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Ishtar Games told to pay damages for illegally terminating workers
French indie studio Ishtar Games has been ordered to pay €7,000 in damages to each of three workers who were illegally dismissed. The studio also must refund a month of unemployment benefits to the state. The French union Le Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV) assisted the employees in fighting the dismissals in labor court, where it was found the terminations were without real cause.
